Miguel A. De La Torre – författare

For many in Miami's Cuban exile community, hating Fidel Castro is as natural as loving one's children. This hatred, Miguel De La Torre suggests, has in fact taken on religious significance. In "La Lucha for Cuba", De La Torre shows how Exilic Cubans, a once marginalized group, have risen to power and privilege - distinguishing themselves from other Hispanic communities in the United States - and how religion has figured in their ascension. Through the lens of religion and culture, his work also unmasks and explores intra-Hispanic structures of oppression operating among Cubans in Miami. Miami Cubans use a religious expression, la lucha, or 'the struggle', to justify the power and privilege they have achieved. Within the context of la lucha, De La Torre explores the religious dichotomy created between the 'children of light' (Exilic Cubans) and the 'children of darkness' (Resident Cubans).Examining the recent saga of the Elian Gonzalez custody battle, he shows how the cultural construction of la lucha has become a distinctly Miami-style spirituality that makes el exilio (exile) the basis for religious reflection, understanding, and practice - and that conflates political mobilization with spiritual meaning in an ongoing confrontation with evil.

This volume in the Belief series provides a new and interesting theological interpretation of Genesis through the themes of liberation and the concerns of the poor and marginalized. De La Torre remembers Jacob's wrestling at Peniel (Gen. 32:24-32), and finds that "there are consequences when we truly wrestle with the biblical text, struggling to see the face of God." This commentary provides theological and ethical insights that enables the book of Genesis to speak powerfully today.The volumes in Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible from Westminster John Knox Press offer a fresh and invigorating approach to all the books of the Bible. Building on a wide range of sources from biblical studies, the history of theology, the church's liturgical and musical traditions, contemporary culture, and the Christian tradition, noted scholars focus less on traditional historical and literary angles in favor of a theologically focused commentary that considers the contemporary relevance of the texts. This series is an invaluable resource for those who want to probe beyond the backgrounds and words of biblical texts to their deep theological and ethical meanings for the church today.

How should Origen, Anselm, Luther, Wesley, Kierkegaard, Barth, and Whitehead be read today, in light of postcolonial theory and twenty-first-century understandings? This book offers a reader-friendly introduction to liberation theology by having scholars "from the margins" explore how questions of race and gender should be brought to bear on thirty classic theologians. Each short chapter gives historical background for the thinker, describes that thinker's most important contributions, then raises issues of concern for women and persons of color.Contributors include Rita Nakashima Brock, Cheryl A. Kirk-Duggan, Harold J. Recinos, M. Shawn Copeland, Kwok Pui-Lan, Joerg Rieger, and many others.

How should Augustine, Aquinas, Bonhoeffer, Kant, Nietzsche, and Plato be read today, in light of postcolonial theory and twenty-first-century understandings? This book offers a reader-friendly introduction to Christian liberationist ethics by having scholars "from the margins" explore how questions of race and gender should be brought to bear on twenty-four classic ethicists and philosophers. Each short chapter gives historical background for the thinker, describes that thinker's most important contributions, then raises issues of concern for women and persons of color.Contributors include George (Tink) Tinker, Asante U. Todd, Traci West, Darryl Trimiew, Ada María Isasi-Díaz, Robyn Henderson-Espinoza, and many others.

In this helpful addition to the Armchair Theologians series, Miguel A. De La Torre provides a concise overview of the global religious movement known as liberation theology that focuses on defining the major themes of this movement, as well as dispelling some common misconceptions. Liberation theology attempts to reflect upon the divine as understood from the poor, the marginalized, and the disenfranchised. The key figures, historical developments, and interfaith manifestations are all explored in this thorough introduction. Expertly written by De La Torre and accompanied by Ron Hill's illustrations, this book will serve as a primary text for those who may have little knowledge of or have never heard of liberation theology.

JosÉ MartÍ's Liberative Political Theology argues that MartÍ's religious views, which at first glance might appear outdated and irrelevant, are actually critical to understanding his social vision. During a time where the predominate philosophical view was materialistic (Darwin, Marx) MartÍ sought to reconcile social and political trends with the metaphysical, believing that ignoring the spiritual would create a soulless approach toward achieving a liberative society. As such, MartÍ used religious concepts and ideas as a tool that could bring forth a more just social order. In short, this book argues MartÍ could be considered a precursor to what would come to be called, Liberation Theology.Miguel De La Torre has authored the most comprehensive text written thus far concerning MartÍ's religious views and how they impacted his political thought. The few similar texts that exist are written in Spanish; and among those, mainly romanticize MartÍ's spirituality in an attempt of portraying him as a 'Christian believer.' Only a handful provide an academic investigation of MartÍ's theological thought based solely on his writings, and those concentrate on just one aspect of MartÍ's religious influences. JosÉ MartÍ's Liberative Political Theology allows for mutual influence between MartÍ's political and religious views rather than assuming one had precedence over the other.

JosÉ MartÍ's Liberative Political Theology argues that MartÍ's religious views, which at first glance might appear outdated and irrelevant, are actually critical to understanding his social vision. During a time where the predominate philosophical view was materialistic (Darwin, Marx) MartÍ sought to reconcile social and political trends with the metaphysical, believing that ignoring the spiritual would create a soulless approach toward achieving a liberative society. As such, MartÍ used religious concepts and ideas as a tool that could bring forth a more just social order. In short, this book argues MartÍ could be considered a precursor to what would come to be called, Liberation Theology.Miguel De La Torre has authored the most comprehensive text written thus far concerning MartÍ's religious views and how they impacted his political thought. The few similar texts that exist are written in Spanish; and among those, mainly romanticize MartÍ's spirituality in an attempt of portraying him as a 'Christian believer.' Only a handful provide an academic investigation of MartÍ's theological thought based solely on his writings, and those concentrate on just one aspect of MartÍ's religious influences. JosÉ MartÍ's Liberative Political Theology allows for mutual influence between MartÍ's political and religious views rather than assuming one had precedence over the other.

A new way for Christians to think about sexuality Author Miguel De La Torre, a well-respected ethicist and professor known for his innovative readings of Christian doctrine, rejects both the liberal and conservative prejudices about sex. He instead develops an ethic that is liberative yet grounded soundly in the Bible; a sexuality that celebrates God’s gift of great sex by fostering intimacy, vulnerability and openness between loving partners. In A Lily Among the Thorns, De La Torre examines the Bible, current events, history and our culture-at-large to show how and why racism, sexism, and classism have distorted Christianity’s central teachings about sexuality. The author shows how the church’s traditionally negative attitudes toward sex in general—and toward women, people of color, and gays in particular—have made it difficult, if not impossible, to create a biblically based and just sexual ethic. But when the Bible is read from the viewpoint of those who have been marginalized in our society, preconceived notions about Christianity and sex get turned on their heads. Taking on hot-button topics such as pornography, homosexuality, prostitution, and celibacy, the author examines how “reading from the margins” provides a liberating approach to dealing with issues of sexuality.

This book explores the intersectionality of the Latine religious experience to help readers better grasp what it means to be a religious and/or spiritual Latine in the U.S. today. Through the voices of established scholars as well as emerging voices, this book surveys newer worldviews, and demonstrates the variety in how Latine religious, spiritual, and theological thought is articulated, and the construction of the multiplicity of the Latine social locations.Short, readable and accessible chapters cover topics including:- demographics and immigration- intra-religious racism- the LGBTIQ+ Latine perspective- the intersection of economics and Latine religious thought- how Latines are portrayed in films, popular culture, and media- the religiosity and contributions of Millennials and Generation-Z.Presente is a word usually employed to remember a deceased person - here used to draw attention to Latines being the largest ethnic group within the U.S. even though often ignored and made invisible by many elements of the dominant groups in society. By exploring the lived religion of newer generations of Latines who are not necessarily Christian, this book offers an up-to-date and contemporary resource for the study of Latine religion.

This book explores the intersectionality of the Latine religious experience to help readers better grasp what it means to be a religious and/or spiritual Latine in the U.S. today. Through the voices of established scholars as well as emerging voices, this book surveys newer worldviews, and demonstrates the variety in how Latine religious, spiritual, and theological thought is articulated, and the construction of the multiplicity of the Latine social locations.Short, readable and accessible chapters cover topics including:- demographics and immigration- intra-religious racism- the LGBTIQ+ Latine perspective- the intersection of economics and Latine religious thought- how Latines are portrayed in films, popular culture, and media- the religiosity and contributions of Millennials and Generation-Z.Presente is a word usually employed to remember a deceased person - here used to draw attention to Latines being the largest ethnic group within the U.S. even though often ignored and made invisible by many elements of the dominant groups in society. By exploring the lived religion of newer generations of Latines who are not necessarily Christian, this book offers an up-to-date and contemporary resource for the study of Latine religion.

This volume looks beyond the myth of José Martí by critically exploring economic thoughts found in his writings; specifically, how they developed and how they were influenced by his position between a declining Spanish empire and a rising US empire. This book demonstrates how Martí is among the few who transcended regional and national borders, thus belonging to all of humanity.Miguel A. De La Torre argues that Martí envisioned a way of being – specifically a Cuban way of being beyond Spain and the United States. His writing was among the first in history to put into prose his dream of a postcolonial existence. More than simply an intellectual exercise; he was among that breed of scholar-activists who attempted to create, con un cuchillo en la boca, a postcolonial existence through a life-long dedication to praxis. He also was among the first to see and warn the Américas of the growing and unquenchable covetous appetite of the United States.This book argues that the major struggles and aspirations which the Américas face today can be summarized as everything predicted and written by Martí, who gave voice to the dream of the disenfranchised. This was established by calling for the construction of a liberated society based on social economic justice, racial harmony, labor rights, and self-determination. De La Torre provides insight to Martí’s ethical way of being which facilitated tackling the wider political world from an unapologetic Cuban social location.

Concerned with how neurodivergent Latines combat the intersection of racism and ableism, this book explores methods of dismantling racialized neuro-normativity. Chapters reveal how ableist arguments are used to justify the discrimination and marginalization of people of colour. This use of ableist logic in service of racism leads to the disavowal of disability by communities of colour. In order to challenge these issues, the book explores Latine neurodiversity through a Christian ethical perspective.‘Haciendo cara’, or ‘making face’, is a Mexican American expression to describe an expressive face. Building upon the work of Chicana theorist Gloria Anzaldúa, this book uses the metaphor of haciendo cara, as an ethic for resisting neuro-ableism. The metaphor draws upon the wells of Latine culture, understanding and challenging the invisibility of neurodivergent Latine oppression.Rudolph P. Reyes II interoperates this metaphor as a tool to not only ‘make’ one’s own face or identity, but also to begin ‘making’ a more just society. To ‘make face’, as we learn, is the continual process of being unapologetically neurodivergent, transforming oppressive realities, and imagining neuro-futures.

The Politics of Jesús is a powerful new biography of Jesus told from the margins. Miguel A. De La Torre argues that we all create Jesus in our own image, reflecting and reinforcing the values of communities—sometimes for better, and often for worse. In light of the increasing economic and social inequality around the world, De La Torre asserts that what the world needs is a Jesus of solidarity who also comes from the underside of global power. The Politics of Jesús is a search for a Jesus that resonates specifically with the Latino/a community, as well as other marginalized groups. The book unabashedly rejects the Eurocentric Jesus for the Hispanic Jesús, whose mission is to give life abundantly, who resonates with the Latino/a experience of disenfranchisement, and who works for real social justice and political change.While Jesus is an admirable figure for Christians, The Politics of Jesús highlights the way the Jesus of dominant culture is oppressive and describes a Jesús from the barrio who chose poverty and disrupted the status quo. Saying “no” to oppression and its symbols, even when one of those symbols is Jesus, is the first step to saying “yes” to the self, to liberation, and symbols of that liberation. For Jesus to connect with the Hispanic quest for liberation, Jesús must be unapologetically Hispanic and compel people to action. The Politics of Jesús provocatively moves the study of Jesús into the global present.

The Politics of Jesús is a powerful new biography of Jesus told from the margins. Miguel A. De La Torre argues that we all create Jesus in our own image, reflecting and reinforcing the values of communities—sometimes for better, and often for worse. In light of the increasing economic and social inequality around the world, De La Torre asserts that what the world needs is a Jesus of solidarity who also comes from the underside of global power. The Politics of Jesús is a search for a Jesus that resonates specifically with the Latino/a community, as well as other marginalized groups. The book unabashedly rejects the Eurocentric Jesus for the Hispanic Jesús, whose mission is to give life abundantly, who resonates with the Latino/a experience of disenfranchisement, and who works for real social justice and political change.While Jesus is an admirable figure for Christians, The Politics of Jesús highlights the way the Jesus of dominant culture is oppressive and describes a Jesús from the barrio who chose poverty and disrupted the status quo. Saying “no” to oppression and its symbols, even when one of those symbols is Jesus, is the first step to saying “yes” to the self, to liberation, and symbols of that liberation. For Jesus to connect with the Hispanic quest for liberation, Jesús must be unapologetically Hispanic and compel people to action. The Politics of Jesús provocatively moves the study of Jesús into the global present.

Liberation theology emphasizes the Christian mission to bring justice to the poor and oppressed. As a part of Christian theology, liberation theology has been most frequently associated with the Catholic Church in Latin America. This groundbreaking work seeks to identify how the theological concepts of liberation theology might be manifested within other world faith traditions.This is thus the first book that attempts to find a "common ground" for liberation theology across religions. All of the contributors are scholars who share the religion or belief system they describe. Throughout, they endeavor to articulate liberationist concepts from the perspective of those who have been marginalized.

Reading José Martí from the Margins explores the construction of Cuban homophobia, racism, sexism, sinophobia and ethnic discrimination which continues unabetted today on both sides of the Florida Straits. The apotheosis of Martí and the falsification of his thoughts have made it difficult to provide a critical assessment of his contributions to the cause of political and social liberation. In his writings and in his declaration (Montecristo Manifesto), he is among the first Latin Americanists to envision the future of Cuba and the rest of Latin America with the full and equal inclusion of Indian and Black people. However, he also unwillingly created the foundation for a paternalistic, colorblind social order which contributed to the marginalization of those who fell short of the cis-gendered male Eurocuban ideal. Relying primarily on Martí’s own writings, some of which has yet to be translated into English, Miguel De La Torre provides a critical assessment of Martí and shows how some of his work contributes to the construction of intra-Cuban oppression.

A groundbreaking corrective work, Latina/o Social Ethics strives to create a liberative ethical approach to the Hispanic experience by using its own tools and materials. First explaining why Eurocentric ethical paradigms are inadequate in their attempts to liberate oppressed communities, Miguel De La Torre looks with Hispanic eyes at three major ethicists of the twentieth century--Walter Rauschenbusch, Reinhold Niebuhr, and Stanley Hauerwas--and how ethics is presented in U.S. culture wars, from the Religious Right to the Religious Left. He deconstructs these ethical paradigms and demonstrates why all are detrimental to and irreconcilable with the Hispanic social location. With a clean slate, then, De La Torre moves to constructing a new Hispanic-centered ethical paradigm that is rooted in the Latino community way of being. Reviewing the field of Hispanic ethical thought, De La Torre pays special attention to specific concepts ripe with potential that have been developed over the past generation. In the final chapter, De La Torre offers his own constructive paradigm--an ethics para joder, which is rooted in the Latina/o experience, and by which, he argues, the Hispanic community can survive within U.S. culture.